to Lift or not

[Bdwb]

Looking for some feedback. I recently purchased a 1996 Ski Nautique for $7500. Been looking for a good used lift - so far I have not found anything. Pricing out a new Hewitt lift with electric, canopy, etc.. price will be around $6300. I am debating on if I really need a lift that is almost as much as the boat - I realize I could simplify and just get a crank lift with no canopy for $3500 but if I am going that far I will likely just go all the way.

My question - if a lift really worth the $ for a old boat? How difficult will it be to get the stains off at the end of the year when I pull it from the water? I am assuming the stains will be near impossible to get out and the baot will take a beating if I leave it in the water all summer.

Just looking for some thoughts from those who have perhaps been in a similar situation.

Thanks!1

[4th ski-doo]

Saves the boat and the canopy is worth every penny! Sun is brutal

[Bdwb]

Thanks for the feedback - after further thought I am soon to become a Hewitt customer - dealing with the water grime would be a hassle not to mention that it would kill me to see a boat that has never sat in the water (garaged) deteriorate on my watch.

[atthelake]

Glad to hear that! You'll use your boat twice as much with a lift. Another 20% more just by getting an electric winch!

[shag]

You can even look for used lifts... Some dealers should have used ones I would think.... At a significant price difference.

[swankster]

It would depend upon your lake. Several years ago, Lake Keowee in SC was so clean, a good wipe down once a week kept the boat in great shape. The slip was covered though, so no sun issues. In the DFW area, I don't even want to keep in on a lift in the water.

[pokesgrad02]

The one pain about a lift is it almost serves as a deterrent to keep the boat clean and waxed. When I pulled it home with me it got waxed and washed at least monthly during use. Now it only gets wax when I pull it off for winter. Just easier to do at home and not at lake when you want to be on the water. I do not miss pulling it 3.5hrs 3 times a month though.

[GCSuper]

Nothings worse than seeing a nice boat sitting out in the weather on a lift or not. I keep our boat on a lift during the summer with a roof over it, a cover on the boat, and a touchless cover over that to keep the sun off it. Winters are kept inside an insulated building again with the cover on. Really pays off when selling or trading.
On the other side, we have a neighbor who purchased a new tige Z4 about three years ago. They parked it out back and it's been there ever since with no cover, rain or snow. Kills me to see it just sit there like that. They do have a cover cause I've seen it covered once. Told my wife one time as we were passing the house that I'd almost like to knock on the door and and ask if I could cover their boat. LOL